Search Results (9,558)

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a negative-sense RNA virus transmitted by insect vectors, causing arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in newborn ruminants. Since its discovery in Germany and the Netherlands in 2011, SBV has rapidly spread across multiple European countries, resulting in significant economic losses in the livestock industry. With the increasing global animal trade and the expanded range of insect transmission, the risk of SBV introduction into non-endemic regions is also rising. As the gold standard for serological testing, the virus neutralization test (VNT) is crucial for tracking the spread of SBV and evaluating the efficacy of vaccines. However, in non-endemic regions, the lack of local viral strains and the biosafety risks associated with introducing foreign strains pose challenges to the implementation of VNT. In this study, we employed reverse genetics techniques using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to substitute the VSV G protein with the envelope glycoproteins of SBV, thereby successfully generating and rescuing the recombinant virus rVSVΔG-eGFP-SBVGPC. The recombinant virus was then thoroughly characterized in terms of SBV Gc protein expression, viral morphology, and growth kinetics. Importantly, rVSVΔG-eGFP-SBVGPC exhibited SBV-specific cell tropism and was capable of reacting with SBV-positive serum, enabling the measurement of neutralizing antibody titers. The results suggest that this recombinant virus can serve as a feasible alternative for SBV neutralization tests, with promising potential for application in serological screening and vaccine evaluation. Full article

Background: Obesity is a complex disorder with both metabolic and neurocognitive consequences, including impairments in prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent learning and memory. Combination pharmacotherapy may offer a more effective approach for addressing obesity-induced cognitive deficits. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of 30-day co-administration of lorcaserin (5-HT₂C agonist) and betahistine (H₁ agonist/H₃ antagonist) in reversing cognitive deficits in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) rat model. Methods: Male Lewis rats were subjected to DIO and administered lorcaserin (2 mg/kg) and betahistine (5 mg/kg), either alone or in combination, via intraperitoneally implanted osmotic minipumps for 30 days. Y-maze, novel object recognition, and object-in-place (OIP) tests were used to assess cognitive functions. In vivo electrophysiological recordings were employed to examine effects of the combination treatment on ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neuron activity. Results: Obese Western-diet-fed rats showed lower discrimination scores in the OIP task, a behavioral test that engages PFC functions, while their performance in the Y-maze and novel object recognition tasks was similar to that of non-obese Control-diet-fed rats. Combination treatment with lorcaserin and betahistine significantly improved the OIP scores of obese rats. However, the combination treatment did not reduce body weight or obesity-associated morphometrical parameters. Electrophysiological recordings revealed a reduction in the number of spontaneously active dopaminergic neurons in the VTA of obese rats. Lorcaserin and betahistine co-treatment significantly increased the number of spontaneously active dopaminergic neurons of obese animals. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of combination lorcaserin–betahistine treatment to reverse obesity-related cognitive deficits, possibly through enhancement of mesocortical dopaminergic neuron activity. Full article

The demand for clean energy to improve waste valorization and enhance resource utilization efficiency has been increasingly recognized in the last few years. In this context, the co-carbonization of different waste streams, aiming at solid fuel production, appears as a potential strategy to address the challenges of the energy transition and divert waste from landfills. In this work, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) samples were subjected to the co-carbonization process with low-quality animal fat waste in different proportions to assess the synergistic effect of the mixture on producing chars with enhanced fuel properties. Dry (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) tests were conducted at 425 °C and 300 °C, respectively, with a residence time of 30 min. The RDF sample and produced chars with different animal fat incorporation were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and fuel properties. The results demonstrated that increasing the fat proportion in the samples leads to an increase in mass yield and apparent density of the produced chars. Furthermore, char samples with higher fat addition presented a proportional increase in high heating value (HHV). The highest values for the HHV corresponded to the char samples produced with 30% fat incorporation for both carbonization techniques (27.9 MJ/kg and 32.9 MJ/kg for dry and hydrothermal carbonization, respectively). Fat addition also reduced ash content, improved hydrophobicity in hydrochars, and lowered ignition temperature, although additional washing was necessary to reduce chlorine to acceptable levels. Furthermore, fat incorporation reduced concentrations of elements linked to slagging and fouling. Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating 30% fat into RDF during DC or HTC is the most effective condition for producing chars with improved physical, chemical, and fuel properties, enhancing their potential as alternative solid fuels. Full article

Background/Objectives: The impact of nutritional interventions on Sjögren disease (SD) remains uncertain, and no standardized guidelines currently exist for managing its sicca symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the effects of dietary interventions on the symptoms of dry mouth and dry eyes in individuals with SD. Methods: Electronic searches were performed in four databases, supplemented by manual searches and searches of the gray literature. Both human and animal studies were included. The methodological quality of the selected studies was appraised, and the data were analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of nineteen studies (ten in humans and nine in animal models) were included. The treatments evaluated were dietary supplements, vitamins, medicinal herbs, and specially modified diets. The primary outcomes assessed included unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rates, salivary-gland inflammation, and ocular dryness (Schirmer test). In animal models of SD, interventions such as caloric restriction, gluten-free diets, low-fat diets, and supplements (e.g., resveratrol, triptolide, and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide) were associated with increased salivary flow and reduced glandular inflammation. Conversely, diets rich in saturated fats were associated with reduced salivary flow and increased lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands. Human studies yielded mixed results, with some reporting improvements in salivation following interventions with vitamins, herbal supplements, gluten-free diets, liquid diets, and whole-food, plant-based diets. Conclusions: Although dietary management may alleviate sicca symptoms and improve nutritional status in SD, the current evidence is insufficient to support specific recommendations for the management of oral symptoms. Full article

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) severely hinders the development of the livestock industry and impacts economic efficiency. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the epigenetic regulation of animal growth and development. Using IUGR pigs as a model, this study analyzed transcriptomic data from IUGR piglets to investigate the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in their testes. Compared with NBW pigs, IUGR pigs exhibited reduced testicular volume, decreased weight, and abnormal testicular development. A total of 4945 differentially expressed mRNAs and 53 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in IUGR testicular tissues, including 1748 downregulated and 3197 upregulated mRNAs, as well as 41 upregulated and 12 downregulated miRNAs. The integrated analysis of differentially expressed genes, miRNA target genes, and the miRNA-mRNA network revealed that IUGR may impair testicular development by disrupting cell cycle progression and apoptotic pathways, thereby hindering normal testicular cell growth. Furthermore, analysis of the miRNA-mRNA network indicated that miRNAs such as ssc-miR-23a, ssc-miR-29c, ssc-miR-193a-3p, and ssc-miR-574-3p could serve as potential marker miRNAs for IUGR testes, while YWHAZ, YWHAB, and PPP2CA may function as core target genes within this regulatory network. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of male reproduction in IUGR pigs and provides a theoretical foundation for preventing and treating IUGR-induced male reproductive disorders. Full article

Understanding milk yield recovery following clinical mastitis (CM) and its influencing factors is essential for controlling the effect of mastitis on milk yield. This study investigated the associations between quarter-level milk yield recovery and milk loss, somatic cell count (SCC), clinical severity, and causative pathogens. Recovery was measured as percentage recovery for inflamed and uninflamed quarters separately. We analyzed 117 CM cases, identifying 117 quarter-level milk yield perturbations (qMYPs) in inflamed quarters and 299 in uninflamed quarters. The recovery of qMYPs was compared across quickly, slowly, and non-recovered groups for inflamed and uninflamed quarters, based on the average and slope of percentage recovery over time, using the Mann–Whitney test. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to assess associations with milk loss, SCC, clinical severity, and pathogens. Inflamed quarters showed similar recovery to uninflamed quarters in recovered groups but significantly worse recovery in the non-recovered group (p < 0.05). In inflamed quarters, greater milk loss, higher SCC, more severe clinical signs, and major pathogens were associated with worse recovery (correlation < 0). In uninflamed quarters, these factors were linked to worse early recovery (correlation < 0), whileled to improved recovery over time (correlation > 0). Additionally, short-term and long-term recovery were influenced differently in inflamed and uninflamed quarters. These findings improve understanding of CM recovery and may support selective treatment, reduce disease impact, and enhance animal welfare in dairy production. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an increasing threat to public health, with wildlife recognized as reservoirs and vectors of resistant bacteria. However, the role of wild species in the ecology of AMR remains insufficiently understood, highlighting the need to investigate resistant bacteria in these animals. This study focused on detecting and characterizing Escherichia coli obtained from 43 fecal samples of white storks (Ciconia ciconia), cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis), and European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Portugal. Resistance profiles to twelve antibiotics and six virulence factors were characterized phenotypically. ESBL production was also tested. A total of 79 E. coli isolates were obtained from 39 out of 43 samples, and 75 were selected for further characterization. All isolates tested negative for ESBL production. Approximately 64% (n = 48/75) of isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 5.3% (n = 4/75) were multidrug-resistant. Most frequent resistances were to ampicillin (36%, n = 27/75), tetracycline (12%, n = 9/75), and chloramphenicol (8%), while all isolates were susceptible to meropenem, aztreonam, and third-generation cephalosporins. Most isolates (81.3%, n = 61/75) lacked virulence factors. These findings suggest that wildlife may act as a reservoir of resistant strains, emphasizing importance of AMR monitoring and the One Health approach. Full article

Cryptorchidism is a common congenital disorder in male horses characterized by the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. This developmental anomaly has important clinical, surgical, and economic implications, particularly in breeding animals. This retrospective study investigates the prevalence and laterality of cryptorchidism in a large equine population presented to two veterinary referral hospitals—Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (CSU VTH, 1984–2014) and Oakridge Equine Hospital (OEH, 2008–2023). Medical records were reviewed to identify affected horses, and data on breed, age, and laterality of retained testes were collected. Anatomical location of retention (inguinal vs. abdominal) was excluded due to inconsistent documentation across the study period. A total of 777 horses met the inclusion criteria, with Quarter Horses comprising the majority of clinical cases. Quarter Horses exhibited a strong predisposition for left-sided testicular retention, whereas Thoroughbreds and Arabians more commonly presented with right-sided retention. These breed-specific trends in laterality suggest possible developmental factors influencing testicular descent. Understanding these patterns can aid in clinical diagnosis, improve surgical planning, and contribute to evidence-based breeding recommendations aimed at reducing the incidence of cryptorchidism in equine populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly prevalent endocrine disorder affecting humans and companion animals. Type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM) are well characterized in humans, and canine DM most often resembles T1DM, marked by insulin dependence and β-cell destruction. Conversely, feline DM shares key features with human T2DM, including insulin resistance, obesity-related inflammation, and islet amyloidosis. This review provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of antidiabetic therapies in humans, dogs, and cats, focusing on three core areas: disease pathophysiology, pharmacological and delivery strategies, and translational implications. In human medicine, a wide array of insulin analogs, oral hypoglycemic agents, and incretin-based therapies, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (empagliflozin), are available. Veterinary treatments remain limited to species-adapted insulin formulations and off-label use of human drugs. Interspecies differences in gastrointestinal physiology, drug metabolism, and behavioral compliance influence therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Recent innovations, such as microneedle patches for insulin delivery and continuous glucose monitoring systems, show promise in humans and animals. Companion animals with naturally occurring diabetes serve as valuable models for preclinical testing of novel delivery platforms and long-acting formulations under real-world settings. While these technologies show potential, challenges remain in regulatory approval and behavioral adaptation in animals. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize pharmacokinetic bridging studies, veterinary-specific formulation trials, and device validation in animal models. By highlighting shared and species-specific characteristics of DM pathogenesis and treatment, this review advocates a One Health approach toward optimized antidiabetic therapies that benefit human and veterinary medicine. Full article

(1) Background: Idiopathic or familial nasal hyperkeratosis (NHK) may be considered a cosmetic issue in its uncomplicated form. Nevertheless, the prevention of secondary lesions could be advised by proper management. (2) Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, open-label pilot study, dogs with familial or idiopathic NHK received a topical emollient balm twice daily for 60 days. Evaluation of the global dermatological score (GDS; 0–12) on D0, D30, and D60 by owners and investigators was the main outcome. The score’s percentage decrease versus D0; the evolution of “dryness”, “lichenification”, “crusts”, and “affected area” (0–3); the correlation between observers and the evaluation of clinical improvement; and animal discomfort rated using a VAS (0–10) during follow-up were analysed. (3) Results: Twenty dogs completed the study. The mean GDS decreased significantly from Day 0 to Day 30 and Day 60 (p < 0.0001), with percentage reductions of 44.9% and 54.5% (investigators) and 54.3% and 62.3% (owners) on Day 30 and Day 60, respectively. Correlations between investigators and owners were significant for dryness, crusts (at Day 60), and the affected area, but not for lichenification. Animal discomfort scores decreased by more than 50% from Day 0. Owners reported high satisfaction with the product (mean score 8.1/10) and no adverse events occurred. (4) Conclusions: This open-label pilot study suggests that the tested balm is well tolerated and may improve clinical signs of NHK in dogs. Given the lack of a control group, small sample size, and absence of blinding, these results should be considered preliminary. Further randomized controlled trials and formal validation of the scoring system are warranted. Full article

Free-living amoebae (FLAs) are widely present in the environment and may be pathogenic for animals and humans. Studies on the prevalence of FLAs in European soils are few in number. This study aimed to molecularly identify the species and genotypes of FLAs occurring in soil from Southern Poland. Forty soil samples were collected in June 2024 in the Babiogórski National Park. Amoebae cultures and a thermal-tolerance test were conducted, and all strains grew at 37 °C. Five PCR protocols were applied for the amplification of FLA SSU rRNA fragments. The following FLAs, including potentially pathogenic ones, were detected: Acanthamoeba T4 and T13 genotypes in 79.1% of positive samples, Naegleria gruberi and Naegleria galeacystis in 25%, Vermamoeba vermiformis in 12.5%, and Paravahlkampfia sp. and Ptolemeba bulliensis in 8.3%. Species and genotype identification were determined by sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis. This study reports, for the first time, the isolation of N. galeacystis from soil and N. gruberi and V. vermiformis from soil collected in Europe. The used primer sets have different usefulness for Naegleria species identification and their phylogenetic analysis. The primers applied in this study may not reveal the full diversity of amoebae in soil; therefore, it is necessary to design new primers for this purpose. Full article

In the case of a notifiable animal disease like salmonellosis, manure is contaminated and must be disinfected. This can be performed using heat measures, chemical disinfectants, or long-term storage. All these measures bring along severe economic, ecological, and logistical problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate lactic acid fermentation (LAF) as an alternative disinfection method. Fermentation was started by adding a carbohydrate source to the manure and creating anaerobic conditions. For testing, cattle manure was enriched with different carbohydrate (CHO) sources and spiked with Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Ty.). The samples were incubated at 10 °C and 21 °C for 111 days (Exp1) and at 21 °C for 50 days (Exp2). The microbial shift was determined using cultural methods and MALDI-TOF. Both the change in pH and Enterococcus spp. were tested as suitable indicators. The results showed the different suitability of the selected CHO for hygienization by LAF. Using squeezed oat as an additive, S. Ty was reduced to below the detection limit under both temperature conditions within 21 days and 14 days. Additional saccharose decreased the reduction time. This study showed that LAF is a valuable alternative for disinfecting cattle manure in the case of bovine salmonellosis. Using this method, both manure and feed residues can be treated in one approach and afterwards be used as fertilizer. Full article

Background: Ethanol intake leads to cognitive deficits. Recent research demonstrated that a dysregulation of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) expression seems to be linked to anxiety and memory disorders. Levetiracetam and brivaracetam are two antiseizure drugs that affect the SV2A protein. This study aimed to assess the impact of these drugs on associative learning and anxiety-like behaviors in ethanol-treated rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 64) were given brivaracetam or levetiracetam via i.g. for three weeks at doses of 300 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg, respectively. Ethanol was administered as a 20% solution twice a day, via i.g., at a morning dose of 1.5 g/kg b.w. and an afternoon dose of 3.5 g/kg b.w. Additionally, 5% ethanol was available ad libitum between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Associative learning was evaluated using the passive avoidance test during the alcohol administration period, as well as the contextual fear conditioning and cued fear conditioning tests during the withdrawal period. The level of anxiety was determined using the elevated plus maze test in withdrawal rats. Results: Ethanol consumption resulted in impaired associative memory, and its withdrawal was linked to increased anxiety levels. Levetiracetam enhanced memory performance in the passive avoidance test, but brivaracetam disturbed memory associated with unpleasant stimuli in the contextual fear conditioning. Additionally, withdrawal-induced disturbance of locomotor activity persisted, particularly in animals receiving levetiracetam in the elevated plus maze. Conclusions: Levetiracetam appears to provide certain beneficial effects, whereas brivaracetam may worsen memory disturbances in rats. Full article

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common, slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of the older horse. Oxidative damage to the hypothalamic periventricular neurons results in loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pars intermedia region of the pituitary gland. Consequently, there is increased production of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived hormones normally produced by this region, as well as initial melanocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, followed by adenomatous change. Clinical signs that are highly suggestive of the disease are generalised and regional hypertrichosis and delayed/abnormal coat shedding. Numerous clinical signs provide a moderate clinical suspicion, including hyperhidrosis, abnormal fat distribution/regional adiposity, epaxial muscle atrophy/loss of topline, laminitis, weight loss, recurrent infections, behavioural changes/lethargy, polyuria and polydipsia, a pot-bellied appearance, bulging supraorbital fat pads, reduced wound healing, lordosis and infertility. In all animals, a diagnosis of PPID is made based on the signalment, clinical signs and results of further diagnostic tests, with age being a crucial factor to consider. Currently recommended further diagnostic tests are measurement of basal adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentrations (all year) and evaluation of the ACTH response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) using seasonally adjusted references intervals (non-autumn). Animals should also be tested for insulin dysregulation, as laminitis risk in PPID is associated with hyperinsulinaemia. PPID can be managed but not cured; it is a lifelong condition. The individual clinical signs can be managed, e.g., clipping the excessive haircoat and providing unrestricted access to water for individuals with polydipsia. Alternatively, pharmacological management can be employed, and the dopamine-2 receptor agonist pergolide is licensed/approved for the treatment of equine PPID. This should be prescribed in combination with dietary recommendations based on the body condition score and insulin sensitivity status of the individual animal. Full article

Advances in cell culture technology have led to fish cell lines being used as cost-effective, reproducible, and ethically favourable instruments in ecotoxicology. The development of new lines contributes to reducing animal experiments and improves model diversity. The brown trout (Salmo trutta), an important bioindicator due to its sensitivity to pollutants, is still underrepresented in cell culture systems. In this study, two novel larvae-derived cell lines, STRlar1 and STRlar2, were established and maintained for over 40 passages. Although derived from sibling larvae of the same parental strain, the two lines showed marked differences in growth dynamics and toxicological responses to ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, isopropanol, and acetone. STRlar2 showed greater sensitivity to all chemicals tested, while STRlar1 exhibited longer proliferation and higher impedance, suggesting stronger substrate adhesion. These differences emphasise the importance of cellular heterogeneity, even in closely related lines. Our results underline the need to carefully validate new in vitro models and caution against relying on single cell lines. To improve the robustness and reliability of ecotoxicological assessments, we recommend the use of multiple independently derived lines that better reflect biological variability and reflect in vivo complexity. Full article